Whether you like or dislike Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, and judging from his landslide re-election win in 2016 a lot of people do, it’s hard not to admire the way he leads the city with decency, integrity and class.
The same can’t always be said of the respective camps vying over the fate of the Desert Discovery Center (DDC) in Scottsdale.
We are no fans of the project as we have explained repeatedly. But we are also no fans of some of the stooges like Mark Stuart who lead the effort. While we admire the passion of opponents, among the best grassroots opposition groups anywhere in recent memory, they can certainly go too far. We have written about such times in the past but it bears repeating now as some in the movement attack terrific Scottsdale businesses like the Fairmont Princess because they happen to be supporters of the Desert Discovery Center. The property is one of the city’s finest hotels, adding to cache and coffers. We do not like their position on the DDC but we readily spend money there anyways. Long after the DDC is dead and gone the Fairmont Princess will still be doing good for Scottsdale, as it was doing before the debate started. DDC opponents need not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with such obnoxious tactics.
And speaking of obnoxious it brings us to proponents of the unnecessary undulating ugh of the Sonoran desert. Since the project lacks such merit advocates have resulted to rationale that relies solely on one’s patriotism. That is, you must not love Scottsdale unless you like their project. It’s sophomoric and insulting. We thinks some of the appeals must be made after glasses of wine because their pleas seem so sad and inebriated.
Both sides need to remember this project is hardly the be all and end all for Scottsdale’s future. If it happens the city will be just fine. If not, and it will not, life will be even better.
As we have said before and taking the lead of Mayor Lane it’s long past time for a public vote on the DDC. It’s probably too much to hope for a gentlewomanly debate if and when that ever happens, but until then everyone would be wise to chill out a bit. You’re embarrassing yourselves and the cause you believe in.